Head bathing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A head bathing system for haircare. The system is composed of an outer cap having a head-receiving aperture, an inner, absorbent liquid-holding layer, and a flexible gathering for the cap at the aperture. The liquid-holding layer is impregnated with a cleansing solution. To clean a person&#39;s hair, the system is applied to the person&#39;s head, which is massaged through the cap to cause the cleansing solution to wet the person&#39;s hair. After sufficient cleaning, the system is removed from the person&#39;s head. Because of the nature of the liquid-holding layer, it reabsorbs much of the cleansing solution before the system is removed from the person&#39;s head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to personal hygiene, and in particular to a headbathing system and method of bathing a person's head, where the systemis self-contained and disposable.

Personal hygiene of a patient or a person who does not have readilyavailable bathing facilities is always a problem. Many different devicesand systems have been developed for these purposes. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,725,311, assigned to the assignee of the present application,discloses a bathing system employing a series of washcloths disposed ina resealable package. The washcloths, which are impregnated with acleansing solution, can be withdrawn and used for body cleansing, andthen discarded.

While washcloths function well for cleansing most body areas, the hairprovides a particular challenge simply because hair, rather than a bodysurface, must be cleaned. Various devices have been developed in thepast for such purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,865 discloses ahair washing aid comprising an outer hood which is fitted around theperson's head. Water and shampoo are added externally through an inlet,the hair is washed, and run off is captured in an extension. In theideal scenario, the hair washing aid is able to capture all excessmoisture, but in reality, water and shampoo are inevitably spilled.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,424,124 discloses a shampoo cap which also fits aroundthe head and has a series of spaced suction cups which are used formassaging the head and hair after shampoo has been applied. However, nomeans is provided for rinsing the shampoo, which must be removed,presumably by removing the shower cap.

An automatic, but highly complex, hair-washing machine is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,769,861. It is not self contained, is not disposable,and given its complexity, is not feasible.

Hair-coverings or caps are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,138,801;3,327,720 and 3,399,621, These are simply hair protection or coveringdevices, and are not used for hair cleansing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a method of bathing a person's hair. Thatmethod comprises the steps of providing a substantially fluid-imperviouscap with a head-receiving aperture, providing a liquid-holding layercapable of being generally coextensive with the cap, applying acleansing solution to at least one of the person's hair and theliquid-holding layer, and then applying the cap and the layer to theperson's head. The person's head is then massaged through the cap andthe liquid-holding layer to cause the cleansing solution to permeate theperson's hair. Finally, the cap and the layer are then removed once thebathing of the person's hair has been completed.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, theliquid-holding layer comprises an absorbent material. The method furtherincludes reabsorbing a portion of the cleansing solution in theabsorbent material before the cap is removed.

A head bathing arrangement according to the invention comprises an outerpackage, means for opening the outer package, and a head bathing systemwhich comprises a substantially fluid-impervious cap within the outerpackage. The cap has a head-receiving aperture and includes an inner,liquid-holding layer generally coextensive with the cap. Theliquid-holding layer is impregnated with a cleansing solution.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the outerpackage comprises opposite halves which are joined by a peelable seal.The opening means comprises a flap extending from at least one of thehalves, and preferably opposite flaps, one extending from each of thehalves.

The cap comprises a plastic film, which is formed in a generallycircular sheet. The liquid-holding layer comprises an absorbent fabric,which is preferably non-woven. The fabric is formed to release liquidwhen compressed, and then reabsorb released liquid before thehead-bathing system is removed from a person's head.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the gatheringcomprises an elastic band. Also, the liquid-holding layer is preferablyaffixed to the cap, with the liquid-holding layer and the flexiblegathering being affixed adjacent the head-receiving aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the followingdescription of an example embodying the best mode of the invention,taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head bathing system according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the head bathing system according tothe invention, taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fluid-impervious cap according to theinvention, before formation,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the liquid-holding layer according to theinvention, and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one form of outer package forpackaging the head bathing system according to the invention, with aportion cut away to show detail.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

A head bathing system according to the invention is designated generallyat 10 in the drawing figures. It comprises an outer, pliant,substantially fluid impervious cap 12, an inner, absorbentliquid-holding layer 14, and a flexible gathering 16.

The cap 12 preferably comprises a plastic film, such as vinyl orpolyethylene, which is flexible, soft, quiet and comfortable, yetsubstantially fluid impervious. Preferably the plastic film is formedgenerally from a circular sheet as shown in FIG. 3, although othershapes will be apparent, and therefore the circular sheet is onlypreferred. The sheet could be square, oblong or any other shape so longas it can be gathered about the head in the manner described herein.

The liquid-holding layer 14 is preferably formed from a fabric. Thefabric can be woven or non-woven, although non-woven is preferred, andthe non-woven fabric can be made from any means of mechanicallyintermingling the fibers of the fabric, such as from needle punching orwater jet commingling. Preferably the liquid-holding layer 14 isgenerally co-extensive with the cap 12, and is secured thereto. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the liquid-holding layer can be secured to thecap 12 at 18 by any well-known method, such as sewing, heat staking, orultrasonic welding. Also, although the point of securing the layer 14 tothe cap 12 is shown spaced substantially from the gathering 16, thegathering 16 and the securing 18 can be much closer to one another, oreven coextensive. Typically, the layer 14 is somewhat smaller indiameter, as the relative sizes in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate.

The gathering 16 preferably comprises an elastic band. The elastic bandis affixed to the cap 12 at the outer periphery thereof, forming anexpandible head-receiving aperture 20. The flexible gathering 16 can beany conventional type of elastic band, and can be installed in the cap12 in a conventional fashion which forms no part of the invention.

Preferably, the liquid-holding layer 14 is impregnated with a cleansingsolution. The cleansing solution contains, at minimum, water and acleaning agent. Preferably, it also includes a conditioner, anantimicrobial agent, a preservative, an antifoaming agent and afragrance.

While many different and equivalent constituents can be used for thecleansing solution, preferably the cleaning agent comprises disodiumcocoamphodiacetate. Preferably the conditioner comprisesisostearomidapropyl morpholine lactate. The antimicrobial agentpreferably comprises DMDM hydondoin. The preservative preferablycomprises phenonip and the antifoaming agent comprises a simethiconeemulsion. Finally, if a fragrance is employed, a preferred fragrance issensitech neutrex.

The head bathing system 10 can be manufactured in any of a number ofwell-known fashions. For example, after the cap 12 and liquid-holdinglayer 14 are cut to their respective shapes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, theliquid-holding layer 14 can be laid on the cap 12 and stitch at 18,while both are still flat. Then, the elastic band for the flexiblegathering 16 can be stretched and installed at the outer periphery ofthe still-flat cap 12. When the elastic band is then released, the headbathing system assumes the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, withobvious blousing (not illustrated) as the elastic band of the flexiblegathering 16 contracts to form the small aperture 20 shown in FIG. 1.The cleansing solution can then be poured, sprayed or otherwiseintroduced to the liquid-holding layer 14 to complete the head bathingsystem 10.

In use, the head bathing system 10 is fitted around a person's head likea conventional shower cap, with the flexible gathering 16 holding thehead bathing system 10 snugly about the person's head. The person's headis then massaged through the cap 12 and the liquid-holding layer 14,causing the cleansing solution to permeate the person's hair. Since theliquid-holding layer 14 is capable of reabsorbing excess liquid, whenthe bathing step has been completed, excess liquid is reabsorbed in thelayer 14, and the head bathing system is then removed. Any liquidremaining in the person's hair can be allowed to evaporate, or can befurther dried, as desired.

Preferably, the head bathing system 10 is provided as a complete unit;that is, fully assembled and with the cleansing solution permeating theliquid-holding layer 14. Alternatively, the head bathing system 10 canbe provided without the liquid-holding layer being saturated with thecleansing solution, or even without the liquid-holding layer beingaffixed to the cap 12.

When the head bathing system 10 is provided in the preferred form, itmust be sealed in an outer package in order to prevent evaporation ofthe cleansing solution. One form of outer package 22 is shown in FIG. 5.The outer package 22 comprises a pair of opposite halves 24 and 26,which are preferably plastic sheets. They are one atop the other, andpreferably coextensive, with the sheet 24 being shown atop the sheet 26in FIG. 5. The sheets may be separate, or can extend from a common foldor end seal 28. The head bathing system 10, when completed, is foldedand then installed between the sheets 24 and 26. The sheets 24 and 26are then joined by a peelable seal 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the seal 30continues along the opposite side edges of the package 22, butterminates short of one end of the package 22. This results in oppositeflaps which can be easily grasped by a user and peeled apart to removethe head-bathing system 10 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) for use.

The sheets 24 and 26 of the outer package 22 are preferably formed fromplastic, which is readily transparent to microwave energy. For comfortduring use, the package 22, containing the head bathing system 10, canbe heated in a microwave oven before use.

The invention has many advantages and features. Because the head bathingsystem 10 is preferably contained within the outer package 22 beforeuse, an acceptable and desired amount of cleansing solution is readilyavailable directly at the point of use of the head bathing system 10.Also, because the outer package 22 is composed of opposite peelablesheets 24 and 26, the package 22 is easy to open. Furthermore, thepackage 22 can be employed as a tote during both microwave heating andtransportation to the point of use of the head bathing system 10.

The plastic film of the cap 12, which preferably is vinyl, is flexible,soft, quiet and comfortable. The flexible gathering 16, when the headbathing system is on a person's head, serves to contain the cleansingsolution within the cap 12 and to gently secure the cap 12 to theperson's head during bathing.

Since the liquid-holding layer 14 is preferably a fabric, it holds thecleansing solution uniformly throughout its fibers, and then, duringuse, readily relinquishes the cleansing solution to the person's hairfor head bathing. When the bathing process is completed, however, thefabric then is capable of reabsorbing the solution to leave the hairrelatively dry when the head bathing system 10 is removed from theperson's head.

Preferably, the head bathing system 10 is designed for single use, butcan also be reused.

Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from thespirit thereof or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of bathing a person's hair, comprisingthe steps ofa. providing a substantially fluid-impervious, flexible capwith a head-receiving aperture, b. providing a liquid-holding layercapable of being generally coextensive with the cap, but with theliquid-holding layer being smaller in dimension than the cap, c.securing the liquid-holding layer to the cap only along an outerperiphery of the liquid-holding layer, d. applying a cleansing solutionto at least one of the person's hair and the liquid-holding layer, e.applying the cap and layer to the person's head, f. massaging theperson's head through the cap and the layer to cause the cleansingsolution to permeate the person's hair, and g. removing the cap and thelayer.
 2. The method according to claim 1 in which the liquid-holdinglayer comprises an absorbent material, and the method further includesreabsorbing a portion of the cleansing solution in the absorbentmaterial before method step f.
 3. A method of bathing a person's hair,comprising the steps ofa. providing a head bathing system comprising asubstantially fluid-impervious, flexible cap, an inner liquid-holdinglayer generally coextensive with the cap, said liquid-holding layerbeing smaller in dimension than the cap, and a cleansing solutionimpregnating the liquid-holding layer, b. securing the liquid-holdinglayer to the cap only along an outer periphery of the liquid-holdinglayer, c. applying the head bathing system to a person's head, d.massaging the person's head through the cap and the layer to cause thecleansing solution to permeate the person's hair, and e. removing theheading bathing system from the person's head.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3 in which the liquid-holding layer comprises an absorbentmaterial, and the method further includes reabsorbing a portion of thecleansing solution in the absorbent material before method step d. 5.The method according to claim 3 including heating the cleansing solutionof the head bathing system prior to step "a".
 6. A head bathingarrangement, comprisinga. an outer package, b. means for opening theouter package, and c. a head bathing system comprising a substantiallyfluid-impervious, flexible cap within the outer package, said cap havinga head-receiving aperture and including an inner, liquid-holding layergenerally coextensive with said cap but smaller in dimension than thecap, said layer being impregnated with a cleansing solution, and furtherhaving a flexible gathering for said cap proximate said aperture.
 7. Ahead bathing arrangement according to claim 6 in which said outerpackage comprises opposite halves joined by a peelable seal, and saidopening means comprises a flap extending from at least one of saidhalves.
 8. A head bathing arrangement according to claim 7 including aflap extending from each of said halves.
 9. A head bathing arrangementaccording to claim 6 in which said cap comprises a plastic film.
 10. Ahead bathing arrangement according to claim 9 in which said filmcomprises a generally circular sheet.
 11. A head bathing arrangementaccording to claim 6 in which said liquid-holding layer comprises anabsorbent fabric.
 12. A head bathing arrangement according to claim 11in which said fabric is non-woven.
 13. A head bathing arrangementaccording to claim 11 in which said fabric releases liquid whencompressed and is capable of reabsorbing released liquid.
 14. A headbathing arrangement according to claim 6 in which said gatheringcomprises an elastic band.
 15. A head bathing arrangement according toclaim 6 in which said liquid-holding layer is affixed to said cap.
 16. Ahead bathing arrangement according to claim 15 in which said layer andsaid flexible gathering are affixed to said cap adjacent said aperture.17. A head bathing arrangement according to claim 6 in which saidcleansing solution includes water and a cleaning agent.